Bolivar Financial Aid

Discover Valuable Financial Aid Opportunities at SBU

Since 1996, SBU has been recognized as one of America's 100 Best College Buys.® Every undergraduate student who attends the Bolivar campus receives a financial aid package. SBU works with you to provide comprehensive financial assistance that will meet your needs through a combination of university, federal, state, and private aid resources. 

SBU Bolivar Financial Aid

Scholarships

SBU offers a variety of scholarships to reward your achievement and make an SBU education financially possible for you.

Scholarships are available in the following categories:

• Academics
• Performance (i.e., music, art, theatre, speech, and debate)
• Athletics
• Church-related
• Other scholarship opportunities

Grants

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for state and federal grants, which are financial awards that do not have to be paid back. Grants can also come from your university or career school, and/or a private or nonprofit organization.

Loans

Loan eligibility is determined based on your submitted FAFSA. They can be divided into two categories:



Federal Loans
These are loans directly from the U.S. Department of Education, and there are four types available:

• Direct Subsidized Loans
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans
• Direct Consolidation Loans 

Private Loans
These loans are distributed from banks or financial institutions and are not offered by the government. 

Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study program is part-time employment for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. The program is available for full-time or part-time students. 

Step 1 - Apply

Apply for admission to SBU. The online application is free but be sure to have access to your ACT/SAT test scores, and be prepared to enter information related to your high school transcript. 

Step 2 - Complete Your FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA for free using the official FAFSA website. It's important to file ASAP. Federal funding is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Even if you don't think you qualify for federal aid, SBU uses the FAFSA to help determine eligibility for school-specific funding.
Indicate SBU on using SBU's school code, 002502.
The deadline is February 1. 

Step 3 - FAFSA Verfication

Some students are randomly selected each year for FAFSA verification. If you are selected for FAFSA verification, you will need to submit additional forms before funds can be released to your account. Review the information at verification for FAFSA on the Federal Student Aid website. 

Step 4 - Military & Veterans

If you plan to use military educational benefits, complete the Veteran Certification Request Form as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days before the start of the academic term.

Step 5 - Review Your Award

Receive your personal financial aid award package after you have been admitted and have a completed financial aid file. Financial aid packages usually start becoming available in January for students entering the next fall.

Step 6 - MySBU Portal Access

Check your SBU email for important information regarding how to log in to the MySBU portal. Use the Self-Service module to accept and/or decline any part of your financial aid award.

Step 7 - Tuition Payment Options

Explore payment options for any balance remaining after financial aid is applied. SBU bills one semester at a time and utilizes an online payment system with payment plan options. Payment arrangements need to be finalized two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.

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